Monthly Archives: July 2008

Praying

My mother’s mother lives alone more than 30 minutes from the nearest hospital, and is in her late 80s. (Yes, I know, the whole family knows, but she has very succintly told us all she wants to be left alone.) Several months ago, she fell down and wound up in rehab for a broken pelvic bone.

She’s been recovering nicely, and yesterday went to the dentist and lunch at a restaurant with my aunt.

Last night she fell while getting up to go to the bathroom and broke her hip. At 9am (PT) they started prepping her for surgery.

I am praying for her peace and praying for the best possible outcome.

EDIT: she did well through the surgery and is back to recovering well. my thanks for the best wishes and positive energy.

Full Moon in Capricorn: A Follow Up

(To read my original post, see: Full Moon in Capricorn)

Magic is fascinating, especially when it happens in your life unexpectedly.

I found myself in conversation with my sister C. on Friday night. Please understand that my sister isn’t very interested in the spiritual side of her life. She’s not unsympathetic, it just doesn’t have a lot of relevance for her. So I very rarely mention what’s going on with me in that part of my life — including my plans for the FMR.

Out of nowhere, she began to talk to me about the relevance of my stepfather (now ex) in my life. He was there from 7 to 17 when I left home, and didn’t divorce my mom until several years later. He played a part in my formation — good and bad. There are triggers, tapes, that go off because of my life with him.

And I never talk about him.

J. knows I had a stepfather, and his name, but essentially nothing else. He knows more about my step-sister (legally ex, but once a sister, always a sister), in fact. C pointed out that this was a disservice to both of us. J. needs to know why I have certain specific reactions, and I need to remember and honor the man who played a large role in raising me.

Sometimes I think magic works best when you state an intention and allow whatever happens to happen — just get out of its way. At least, it seems that way for me.

Dream: School Protest, Lisa Style

Last night I dreamed I was in college. On my way into a class, I noticed that the Geography dept had arranged for a dinner for its students in the class just after the one I was going to. There were four lines to get in, each prominently labeled with a type of dress code (bare belly/wide pants; sweatsuit, etc.) and apparent;y certain types of dress weren’t going to be allowed entrance.

This bothered me, so I stayed after class and just hung out as the auditorium filled. There were four ladies who were in charge of this affair — each dressed in upscale business attire. Once things got started, I raised my hand and asked about the dress code. “Oh, our students needed to be given a little help to dress appropriately for the Real World” I was told. How much notice were they given, I asked? No real answer: clearly the ‘right’ people didn’t need to be warned, and the others didn’t get the free meal. I said that. “Excuse me, but aren’t you inappropriately dressed?” I was asked.

I looked down at my loose shorts and slightly stretched t-shirt; sandals on my feet. I shrugged, “I’m here, aren’t I?” One of the women made a disparaging noise and asked the rest of the class about me. A few people spoke in praise of me — which was particularly nice since I didn’t know them. She tried once more to shame me by mocking, but it just made the class turn against her.

Point made, I made my way to the front and thanked her; I had another class to get to.

Marking Manhood

Feel free to pass this along — I’m hoping for as wide a net of ideas as possible.

I have been asked to help craft a Coming of Age Ritual for a young man who is just turning 13. Not being male, nor having brothers, nor having any young men in my life go through that age, I’m feeling a bit lost.

Any ideas?

What divides a boy from a man?

Thanks in advance.

Comments

Due to slippery fingers and a lack of attention, all comments for this blog were deleted. (I am losing my mind, I don’t even know *when* I deleted them.) Please don’t take it amiss or as a sign. It’s only an accident.

Subtle Funk

Alas, the title has nothing to do with music. I realized yesterday that I have fallen into a funk, not quite a depression, but heading in that general direction. A precursive sensibility of malaise has fallen over me.

I call it ‘subtle funk’.

My warning sign? I’ve been losing track of things — objects lost or misplaced and tasks forgotten. About a month ago I lost a set of keys. No big deal, everyone does it, right? Everyone except me. In 40 years I have never — NEVER — lost a set of keys. (Nor a purse or wallet for that matter.) The tasks have been far subtler, but although my desk is neat, I have a three page list of to-dos that I just keep ‘forgetting’ to do.

I feel this is related to my last ritual. More on that later. (Blogging regularly has been one of those unfinished tasks.)

Outrageous and un-American

For a variety of reasons I am outraged that our political representatives turned out to be such a bunch of woosies and passed FISA. So I signed a petition with the ACLU (and yes, I am a member, have been for years). Turns out I’m one of 65,000 people who did so, and although my name isn’t on the ad, I’m listed on their website as a supporter.

The ACLU and the EFF get my money because they are fighting for our *already guaranteed* freedoms.

*edit*

I also urge you to add your support by using the link below the text the ACLU asked me to pass along to my friends.

Hey,

Did you know that Congress has signed away our right to privacy?

It’s true! By making FISA law, the President and Congress have made it legal for US agencies to spy on our text messages, email, and phone calls to people outside the US, without any cause, reason or warrant. Does that sound like a right to privacy to you?

Help the ACLU overturn FISA by sharing your message of support now!

http://www.aclu.org/fisaaction

***********

Thanks for taking a stand!

The ACLU Online Team

I *loathe* double standards

From the ACLU blog (one of my daily reads):

Soldier Fights Citizenship Delays

I am a native of Iraq and proud to be a U.S. Army soldier with a Purple Heart. I love the U.S. and that’s why I want to become a citizen. But my naturalization has been delayed. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) told me that it’s because, despite my combat service in the U.S. Army, I haven’t passed the FBI background check.

Read the rest under the cut.

It’s appalling. This man has done more for our country than most of the natural citizens, he’s played by the rules, he’s put his frigging LIFE on the line for this country, and yet he’s denied citizenship. Wrong wrong wrong wrong WRONG.